The third generation Audi TT coupe follows an evolutionary styling theme, gets a bit more adventurous inside and really makes the numbers when it comes to performance and efficiency. Choose from diesel or petrol, front or quattro all-wheel drive.

While it's true that ubiquity has somewhat dulled its impact, it's easy to overlook quite what a remarkable car that Audi TT was when it first appeared in 1998. Prior to the TT, Audi wasn't a company renowned for great design flair. It did safe and solid. Its most desirable sporting cars in the years leading up to the TT launch were estate models. The TT changed all that. It had an interior that felt like something from a motor show stand. It offered buyers an apparently irresistible combination of Audi build quality, styling that made everything else seem old and a clever quattro all-wheel drive chassis.
The second generation car was probably a bit of a missed opportunity. After the extremity of the first car, everything seemed to be dialled back a couple of notches. Audi improved the driving characteristics considerably and in the TT RS model, had one of the most underrated sports coupes on the market. The third generation car looks to fuse the driveability and slickness of the second gen version with the drama and flair of the first, while at the same time responding to shifting buyer behaviour. That's quite a brief.

The engines and transmissions were probably the strongest suit of the last TT and this one builds upon that foundation. Three powerplants are offered at launch. The 2.0 TDI diesel opens proceedings. Its 184PS power output drives the front wheels and will get it to 62mph in 7.2 seconds. Beyond the black pump, things get a bit more serious. The 2.0 TFSI petrol unit gets the same 230PS as the more powerful versions of the Golf GTI, but here you get a choice of front or quattro all-wheel drive. Both will hit a top speed of 155mph, with the manual front-wheel drive car getting to 62mph in 6.0 seconds and the S tronic twin-clutch quattro model taking a mere 5.3s. The initial top of the range is marked by the 310PS Audi TTS. It covers the standard sprint in 4.7 seconds and its top speed is electronically governed at 155mph. Here, the 2.0 TFSI engine produces 380Nm of torque between 1,800 and 5,500 rpm. A manual transmission is standard, with an S tronic transmission incorporating launch control, which regulates maximum acceleration from a standstill, available as an option.
The quattro drivetrain has been re-engineered. By networking quattro drive with Audi drive select, the driver of the Audi TT can adjust the operating parameters of the all-wheel-drive system to suit his or her individual requirements. In "auto" mode, optimum traction and balanced driving dynamics are given priority. In "dynamic" mode, torque is distributed to the rear axle earlier and to a higher degree. In the drive select "efficiency" mode, the set-up can temporarily shut down the quattro system if conditions suit this. Audi's magnetic ride adaptive damper control system is fitted as standard to the TTS and is optional for all other versions. Compared with the previous version, Audi magnetic ride has been improved in terms of characteristic spread, control dynamics and precision as well as user friendliness. In other words, you'll really be able to tell it's working when you press the button. The body is lowered by 10mm in S line versions, in the TTS and wherever Audi magnetic ride is fitted.

One thing's for sure. Even if you'd never seen this car before, you'd know it was an Audi TT. Some commentators have been a little disappointed in how safe Audi has played the exterior styling and I'd count myself as one of them. It's still a handsome car but it looks like a midlife facelift of the second generation model more than an all-new piece of design. The big front grille gives the car a meaner look and there are some lovely details. The fuel flap on the right side panel is the classic circle surrounded by socket screws. This shape is again reminiscent of the first-generation TT, although here there is no filler cap beneath the flap. This means that there is nothing to be unscrewed and the pump nozzle slots straight into the tank neck.
The interior, on the other hand, is a real piece of work. Pure, clean lines dominate and seen from above, the instrument panel resembles the wing of an aircraft; the round air vents - a classic TT feature - are reminiscent of jet engines with their turbine-like design. The vents also contain all the controls for the air conditioning system, including seat heating where applicable, temperature, direction, air distribution and air flow strength; as an option they can also house small digital displays which show the chosen setting. A 2+2, the TT Coupe gets a load area with a capacity of 305-litres, which is 13-litres more than before and can be extended by folding the rear seat backrests forwards.

Prices for mainstream 2.0-litre petrol and diesel models sit in the £30,000 to £35,000 bracket and all versions of the TT Coupe come with the MMI radio and the electromechanical parking brake. Alongside the S sports seat with various leather and trim variants, options include the advanced key for push-button starting, hill hold assist, high-beam assist, the LED interior lighting package, front seat heating and the storage and luggage compartment package. The connectivity package features the touchpad-based MMI touch system. At the top of the modular range is the 'MMI Navigation plus' set-up with its flash memory, two card readers, DVD drive, Bluetooth interface and voice control system. The 227bhp petrol and 181bhp diesel models get 17-inch alloys as standard, while 18s and 19s are available at extra cost. Quattro models can be optioned with 20-inch wheels. The S line specification gets its own look for the bumpers, air intakes, grille, sills and rear diffuser, plus larger wheels and the no-cost option of 10mm lower sports suspension.
Rivals? The Porsche Cayman is an obvious competitor for the Audi TTS, but the TT range spans a broad price bracket and cars like the Volkswagen Scirocco R and the Peugeot RCZ-R could also be considered as opposition. The base 2.0 TFSI TT has to face down hard chargers like the Renaultsport Megane coupe and the Mercedes CLA could also be considered a viable cross-shopping option.

Audi couldn't exactly bring us a new TT without improving on the efficiency figures of the old car. It's not really the done thing. So it is that despite packing more power than before, the TT is a good deal more cost-effective to run. The 2.0 TDI ultra diesel is naturally the star here, returning 67.3mpg and emitting just 110g/km of carbon dioxide. Even if you opt for the punchy 230PS petrol engine, you'll get 41.5mpg and 159g/km from the quattro model with the S tronic box.
When the Audi drive select system is set to its 'efficiency' mode, the S tronic transmission decouples and 'freewheels' each time the driver takes his or her foot off the throttle pedal. All up, the TT 2.0 TFSI weighs just 1,230kg thanks to the extensive use of aluminium chassis members, body panels and suspension componentry.

It's doubtful that the Audi TT will ever cause quite the stir that the amazing first generation car did, so it needs to impress in other ways. This third take on the TT theme is an interesting amalgam of evolutionary exterior styling and some genuinely new ideas inside the car. Improving the driving experience so that the TT is thought of as a proper driver's car has clearly been one of the key design criteria. Putting a TTS and a Porsche Cayman back to back might well yield some very interesting results.
Everything seems to have been done the right way in this car. Weight has been taken out to improve efficiency and agility. Big budget has been spent on the suspension and drivetrain. The S tronic gearbox is one of the best twin-clutch systems at any price and there are some enormously clever online systems available if you have the coin. We'd have liked to have seen Audi be a bit more adventurous with the exterior styling, but other than that, first signs look extremely promising indeed.

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Overview

The Audi TT is the small curvy German 2 door sports coupe. It’s always evolving and becoming the hot sports coupe that everyone will look to. Underneath that hood is a powerhouse engine ready to rock all those horses and push pedal to the metal. If the Audi TT is for you look over to the video review that we have for you to make your TT lease much easier.

Key Audi TT Points

Audi TT’s have always been the two seated dreams from Audi. It comes as a coupe or roadster and is available in a 2.0T FSI, 2.5T FSI Petrol and 2.0 TDI. It has many wonderful trims to choose from too. The TT comes with many trims such as the Black Edition, Sport, the high spec S Line. If you really want some power on the accelerator the all-powerful RS edition is available for you. With the top down or not, you’ll really enjoy this motor.

Why lease and Audi TT

Leasing an Audi TT is music to our ears. This sports car has grew up with us and has made its mark over the years. The TT is a wonderful car inside and out and it screams high quality from the roof tops. If you want high horse power then you’ve definitely spotted the right car, as these cars hit the 350+ bhp margin. This Audi is a lovely run around car as well as a thrill seeker. You can get the thrills of a super car for the low prices here!

Five reasons to lease an Audi TT

Stunning Looks

Very high quality interior

Affordable Price

Carbon fibre exterior for performance

Powerful Motor

Conclusion

Overall the Audi TT is a wonderful car. It has the power, the looks and the quality for a very affordable price. Due to our high level of discounts from the Audi dealers and incredible residual values the Audi TT is well within the competitive price range.

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